The Missing Among Us: Stories of missing persons and those left behind

 The Missing Among Us: Stories of missing persons and those left behind

Reviewed By  Nan van Dissel       March 11, 2021

 

Author  Erin Stewart

Distributor:      New South Books
ISBN:                 9781742236797
Publisher:         NewSouth
Release Date:   March 2021  

Website:    https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au 

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Some people choose to go missing, while others are compelled by forces outside of their control. Sometimes the reason for their disappearance is somewhere in the blurry space between electing to go and being taken. However, missing people leave behind someone who is grieving for them, who is missing them, who cares about them and just wishes to know that they are safe and well; they have disappeared from the fold of their relationships.

When reading about a missing person, straight to mind would come missing children, such as the Beaumont children or Madeline McCann or maybe someone who has been abducted, kidnapped or runaway.

Author, Erin Stewart, however takes a much broader view, by asserting that missing persons by their nature are an ambiguous reality; we don’t know where they are. There are many and varied causes why someone may go missing. In her book she investigates, many of these reasons by undertaking interviews with a wide range of people who work/volunteer this complex and broad area. She explores amongst others, war casualties, refugees, stolen children, the removal of first nations children, unaccompanied minors, role of ‘new religious movements’ (cults) and runaways as a result of child abuse or mental health as reasons for someone disappearing from the lives of those who care.  

What started out as a PhD thesis has resulted into a comprehensive book about the concept of ‘missing persons’? Readers will find this both an interesting and informative read. The author’s final chapter is an excellent recap of the content and assertions made in this book. For those readers who wish to undertake further reading in this area, the author has included a wide-ranging reading list.

Non Fiction